Acts 14 - Introduction

Paul Is Stoned For Preaching Acts Fourteen

This missionary journey took Paul and Barnabas to Iconium where they attended a synagogue service. There they were also again given the opportunity to speak and a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed. (Acts 14:1) As had previously been the case the unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble. (Acts 14:2)

The preaching of these brethren was marked by (1) boldness, and (2) the working of miracles. They fearlessly proclaimed the word of God's grace. In this text Barnabas is called an apostle. In Acts 14:14 we read, "when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out."

Jesus said that the preaching of the gospel would bring division. "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." (Luke 12:51) As these men preached "the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles." (Acts 14:4) Some even tried to stone the preachers but they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia. There they preached the gospel.

A certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet was healed by the apostles. The man was healed by simply being told to "Stand upright on thy feet." The miracle resulted in the people saying, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker." The apostles "rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." (Acts 14:14-15) One must recognize the true God before he can find the true Savior.

The unbelieving Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the people to stone Paul. "They stoned him and drew him out of the city, supposing he was dead." God raised Paul up and he went right back into the city.

The brethren revisited the churches they had established to (1) Confirm the souls of the disciples, (2) exhort them to continue in the faith, and (3) ordain elders in every church. Continuing in the faith refers to following the complete body of revealed truth. At the end of their journey the brethren gathered the church together and rehearsed all that God had done through them.